As the saying goes, "When you eat someone's food, you feel indebted; when you take someone's gift, you feel obliged." Compliments don't cost a thing, so might as well flatter first and talk later.
Besides, Mu Yang was indeed the strongest among the younger generation of the three major academies. The position of academy chief rightfully belonged to him.
"You are teachable!"
Mu Yang nodded in satisfaction, opened the jade box in his hand, and handed it to Feng Xiaotian. "This is called the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, classified as an immortal-grade herb. Consuming it will channel energy through your limbs, circulate blood through your eight meridians, and temper an indestructible body.
"Simply put, it strengthens the physique, boosts soul power, and enhances cultivation talent."
Although the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum wasn't the most compatible with Feng Xiaotian's Gale Twin-Headed Wolf martial soul, it was still an immortal herb. It would significantly benefit him, at the very least shortening the time needed to become a true powerhouse.
Moreover, with the power of an immortal herb, Feng Xiaotian's martial soul—currently a sub-top-tier variant—had a high chance of evolving into a true top-tier beast martial soul.
"I see!"
Feng Xiaotian suddenly understood.
No wonder Mu Yang and the others had been progressing so quickly in their cultivation. It turned out they had access to heaven-defying treasures like the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, which not only increased soul power but also improved cultivation talent!
"By the way, I noticed that you, Huo Wu, and Wushuang all had your martial souls evolve. Can these immortal herbs actually evolve martial souls?"
Feng Xiaotian wasn't slow-witted. He immediately connected the dots—Mu Yang and the others must have undergone martial soul evolution due to consuming herbs similar to the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
Mu Yang nodded. "That's right. Immortal herbs have the potential to evolve martial souls.
"However, this depends on the compatibility between the herb and the martial soul, as well as the martial soul's inherent quality.
"For example, Bing'er's Ice Phoenix martial soul didn't undergo any evolution because it was already incredibly powerful.
"Meanwhile, Yue'er's Glowing Jade Dolphin improved in quality to top-tier, but its species did not change."
"So, was the reason why the Huo Lie Douluo and the others were able to break through to Title Douluo also because of these immortal herbs?" Feng Xiaotian asked again.
"Not entirely. The Anut Shui Yanyu broke through on her own, but she did use the Soul Core Secret Method.
"You'll also be able to practice this method in the future, but only when your soul power level is high enough. Otherwise, it's too dangerous."
Mu Yang explained briefly before instructing Feng Xiaotian on how to properly consume the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
More than two hours later, Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang returned from training in the lava mimicry cultivation ground within the academy's back mountain.
"Huh? Xiao Yang, you're back?"
Upon seeing Mu Yang, Huo Wu immediately walked over.
"Yeah. Hmm? Congratulations to my dear cousin for breaking through to Rank 60."
Mu Yang nodded, then sensed the soul power fluctuations coming from Huo Wu. Smiling, he congratulated her.
If he wasn't mistaken, Huo Wu had just broken through to Rank 60. Since she wasn't controlling her soul power well yet, even an average seven-ring Soul Sage could accurately detect it.
"Of course!"
Huo Wu lifted her chin proudly.
"Huh? Did Feng Xiaotian take some kind of tonic? His aura is increasing so fast!"
Suddenly, Huo Wushuang noticed that Feng Xiaotian, who was meditating and cultivating nearby, was exuding an unusual aura—his soul power was steadily and significantly increasing.
"The academies are about to merge, and Feng Xiaotian will be one of us from now on. I gave him an immortal herb."
Mu Yang waved his hand dismissively as he spoke, even glancing at Huo Wu.
Regardless of whether his dear cousin accepted Feng Xiaotian's pursuit, this guy was already his subordinate.
Huo Wu pouted upon hearing this.
She understood the effects of immortal herbs well. Unless something unexpected happened, Feng Xiaotian's cultivation speed would no longer lag behind hers. He might even surpass her.
Feng Xiaotian had been chasing her for years, but it wasn't that she outright disliked him.
The real reason was that her father, Huo Lie, her mother, Mu Xiyue, and even her older brother, Huo Wushuang, constantly spoke highly of Feng Xiaotian in front of her. This only triggered her rebellious nature.
She, Huo Wu, had both beauty and talent, with strength to match. Why should she have no choice but to accept Feng Xiaotian? Was she incapable of finding a suitable partner herself? Impossible!
There were so many people who wanted to pursue her that they could form a line stretching from Blazing Academy to Heaven Dou City!
Simply put, unless society knocked some sense into her, Feng Xiaotian's journey as a devoted admirer would be a long and arduous one.
In the original story, if not for the "lesson" she received from Tang San, Huo Wu might never have accepted Feng Xiaotian's pursuit. At the very least, he would have had to wait several more years.
It wasn't that Feng Xiaotian wasn't outstanding—it was just that he was too persistent.
The unattainable always seems alluring, while those who are favored often take things for granted.
Time passed, and several hours later, as the sun set and the moon rose, night had fallen.
"Aw—ooooo—"
Suddenly, a wolf's howl echoed through the courtyard.
Mu Yang, who was eating in the dining hall, froze for a moment before picking up his bowl and stepping outside.
Looking around, he saw a massive, green wolf shadow behind Feng Xiaotian—except this one had three heads. The wolf was tilting its heads back and howling.
"Whoa… three heads?"
Seeing the three-headed wolf apparition, Mu Yang couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.
After consuming the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Feng Xiaotian's mutated martial soul—the Gale Twin-Headed Wolf—had evolved once again, turning into the Gale Three-Headed Wolf?
And he had to admit, it looked pretty fierce and impressive.
Judging by the aura it emitted, this evolution was not just a quantitative improvement but a qualitative leap as well. It seemed that Feng Xiaotian's martial soul had officially reached the ranks of top-tier beast martial souls.
While his newly evolved martial soul wasn't the strongest among top-tier beast martial souls—still falling short compared to something like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—it was still a huge improvement from before. The difference was like night and day.
Moreover, Mu Yang also noticed that after consuming the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Feng Xiaotian's soul power had surged from Rank 57 to Rank 59. He was now very close to Rank 60 and becoming a Soul Emperor.
"How do you feel?"
Taking a bite of food from his bowl, Mu Yang stepped forward and asked.
"Better than ever! I won't say much, but I owe you a great debt. I, Feng Xiaotian, will definitely repay you in the future!"
Feeling the dramatic transformation in his body, Feng Xiaotian spoke with deep gratitude.
"Tsk, what a shame…"
Mu Yang looked him up and down, clicked his tongue, and shook his head regretfully.
Feng Xiaotian was startled. "What's a shame?"
"You're a guy, so you can't repay me with your body. Not that I would want that anyway.
"As for making you work for me… well, I don't have that much work to give you."
Mu Yang teased with a smirk.
Feng Xiaotian: "…"
Alright, alright. So this is how you want to play it, huh?
Fine!
I, Feng Xiaotian, swear that one day, I will make you call me brother-in-law!
The Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum had given him newfound confidence.
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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